I think I'm getting a better idea about lighting. I took this in the early evening and I like it much better than my last post (Orange Flower).
Ideally, there wouldn't be such a lot of flowers in the background. Also, I see I should have left more space at the top.

for having so many flowers the composition isn't bad. if you wanted to take the same scene and improve it, in an ideal world, pick some of the flowers.

what you make this scene better would be more contrast. take the same flowers under more sunlight so you have shadows on the pedals. it's really flat in the current lighting.

if you wanted to use the evening lighting so you had more control, perhaps try artifically lighting it from different angles.

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Thanks for the time you took. As or it being flat, I wish I could see what you mean but I guess I don't have enough experience. So what exactly does that mean?
Plus, I was told never to shoot in direct sunlight...

Well, this photo does show the restrictions your little camera is giving you, but I myself appreciate how well you're taking in everyone's advice. And you try this and that and that, sunlight, shade. How about backlight? I think you tried that, too, right? But it might take your camera even more towards its limitations. However, you should never stop trying!

Well, this photo does show the restrictions your little camera is giving you, but I myself appreciate how well you're taking in everyone's advice. And you try this and that and that, sunlight, shade. How about backlight? I think you tried that, too, right? But it might take your camera even more towards its limitations. However, you should never stop trying!

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Cornina, you're always so kind

I don't remember trying backlight - or maybe I dod and didn't know I was doing it Was that the morning glory pic maybe?

The background COULD become too glaring, that could be the problem you might be facing, and the glare might layer itself over your subject, depending on how much background light your letting into your composition. But you might find a backlit flower and a wall in the shadow behind it (maybe even a nicely far way behind it). That might look good and make the flower shine brilliantly!

there's nothing particularly wrong about taking a photo in any light. my favorite photos have some degree of direct light or extreme light. it adds character. there's a ton of photos posted here with lens flare that makes the photo

this bush is super boring by itself. it's red pedals. add some light and shadow and it gains interest. does it becomes particularly special subject just because I added light and shadows? not really. with my f-stop I added in the depth of field too. it's still nothing particularly special that I would print but it's heading in the right direction. I'm at the point that a different viewpoint would take it the next step, my lighting and exposure isn't the limit.

there's way too many pretty flower photos to not work at it more. good lighting, angles and composition make a flower photo. the best ones these days have something that takes them a step above good. finding what that is takes work

back lit wouldn't take your camera towards it's limitations in any manner. it's just light, your camera can handle it.